Captivating: Extraordinary Moments

The Boy in Blue

In this drawing rows Ned Hanlan, regarded as the first Canadian athlete to enjoy international fame. In 1880, 100,000 spectators saw Hanlan capture the world championship in single sculls – the first for a Canadian in an individual sporting event.

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A goal is scored by the Toronto Maple Leafs during playoffs against the Detroit Red Wings, 1942
Conn Smythe fonds
Reference Code: F 223-3-2-7-5
Archives of Ontario, I0011892

A comeback for the ages

The Toronto Maple Leafs had advanced to the Stanley Cup finals six times without success since their last victory in 1932. They entered the 1942 finals as the clear favourites but lost the first three games to the Detroit Red Wings. In one of the greatest comebacks in Stanley Cup finals history, Toronto won the next four games and the championship.

Leafs win the Cup again

Looking north on Bay Street, Toronto during the Maple Leafs’ Stanley Cup victory parade. Note the clock tower of Toronto’s Old City Hall in the background.

To coaches: no gum chewing

This memo from Maple Leaf Gardens’ President Conn Smythe reflected his military training and service in both World Wars. He often handed down staff directives in order to ensure the smooth operation of the hockey club.

An unprecedented feat

On September 9, 1954, Ontario’s Marilyn Bell fought waves and exhaustion to become the first person to swim across Lake Ontario. In this photograph Toronto Mayor Nathan Philips congratulates Marilyn and her coach, Gus Ryder.

Chuvalo stands up against Ali

Here is one of three Official’s Score Cards for Pro Boxing for the March 29, 1966 bout between Canadian George Chuvalo and Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) at Maple Leaf Gardens. Ali retained his World Heavyweight Championship, but Chuvalo became the first boxer that the legend failed to knock down in a title fight. This fight provoked significant controversy because of Ali’s outspoken views about the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War. The bout was sanctioned by the Office of the Athletics Commissioner, which regulated all combat sports in Ontario.

Grey Cup win in Steeltown

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders 13-10 to win the 1972 Grey Cup in front of more than thirty thousand hometown fans. Hamilton football clubs won the Grey Cup in every decade of the 20th century, a feat matched by only one other professional sports franchise, the Montreal Canadiens.

The big league comes to Ontario

On April 7, 1977, 44,649 fans witnessed the birth of a franchise at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto. Shivering through the snow and freezing temperatures, the Toronto Blue Jays won their first game 9-5 over the Chicago White Sox.

Copyright:

Gymnastics banner photograph used with permission of the YMCA of Greater Toronto.